The other side of Manilyn Reynes

She was the teen idol of the late ’80s. She was idolized by many and pursued by film, TV and record producers. Not only were her movies and records big hits, but her amiable disposition made her love by fans and colleagues.

Manilyn Reynes became a household name and it seemed that nothing could go wrong with her career.

However, even teen idols suffer from burn-out. They grow older, get married, and are replaced by other idols. As Manilyn slowly drew away from the screaming crowd, she found new fulfillment in the home – husband Aljon Jimenez and sons Kyle, nine, and Kirk, three. They seem closely knit, supportive of each other’s interests; a normal non-showbiz family building a life together.

Yet Manilyn and Aljon have not entirely eschewed showbiz connections. She and Aljon began producing a weekly 30-minute lifestyle magazine show SHE!! on RPN 9 in 2004 which ran for one season, with her as host and Aljon as director. During her heydays, Manilyn had extensive exposure in hosting on TV from the popular That’s Entertainment to Manilyn Live, Lunch Date, Dear Manilyn, Sang Linggo nApo Sila, Hapi Kung Healthy, Sarap TV, Today’s Mom, and What’s Up Day. Manilyn says she intends to resume with the second season of SHE!! next year.

TV guestings continue with her last mainstay appearance in Maid in Heaven in 2004; latest movies in Bahay Ni Lola, Super Idol and a cameo appearance in Pinoy Blonde; latest concert guesting in Sheryn Regis’ concert six months ago.

The fact that she endorses CD Jeans women’s apparel, and Pan de Pugon is testimony of her lasting presence and influence.

Although she quickly admits her priorities have changed, Manilyn doesn’t really miss show business "except perhaps making movies again."

What she would want to continue in the months to come would be the food business which she started three years ago, the TV show SHE!!, having another baby (hopefully, a girl this time), getting married in church and time for fishing.

The food business, started with Kyle’s Chicken Nuggets & French Fries then Kyle’s Pizza Manilyn and Aljon sold at Star City, was successful. They tremendously enjoyed supervising the food stalls themselves that Manilyn reports "na tsismis nga kami na naghihirap since we hawked the food stuff ourselves."

The fishing started four years ago when Manilyn was pregnant with Kirk. It was a therapy of sorts for the anxiety disorder she experienced when she was pregnant. She was overweight and fat. Her waistline was 33 and she felt depressed and unattractive.

"I thought it was a tummy ache I was having. It was anxiety disorder which my doctor said would progress to panic disorder in the next phase, and then to a nervous breakdown."

Manilyn never got back to her former weight, but now it no longer bothers her. "I’ll get there in due time," she says.

Thankfully, Manilyn’s illness never progressed to the next phase. Fishing provided the much-needed antidote.

"I love nature and the peace and relaxation it provides. It does involve a lot of patience, waiting for the fish to bite, but even that I enjoyed. There is nothing compared to finally catching your fish," she gushes.

Her favorite fishing venues are Caliraya in Laguna and Laeya in Batangas. Here, she and Aljon rub elbows with professional anglers and the fisherfolk of the community whose main source of income is fishing. She shares she loves rainy days because after a heavy rain the fishes come out.

Although Manilyn goes to the gym, engages in boxing, does cross-stitch, and draws in her spare time, she has come to thoroughly love the sport she and Aljon indulge in weekly. They even have participated in competitions. They joined the Philippine Game Fishing Angler’s Competition, and look forward to more competitions.

A child star from Cebu at three, Manilyn was launched in Regal Films’ To Mama with Love at 10. She has done 12 albums, appeared in 52 movies and drama anthologies and numerous concerts here and abroad. Manilyn, 33, muses that it was about time she slows down a bit.